In 2001, the ILH awarded the FIFA President the title of Humanist of the Year and the Golden Charter of Peace and Humanism.

The ILH is an independent international association of humanists which unites everyone who is striving for peace and democracy and who shares this same perspective all around the world.

To coincide with its 30th anniversary, the association decided to create special postage stamps in honour of its award winners. Joseph S. Blatter and Juan Antonio Samaranch were presented with theirs on Thursday.

"Thanks to football, you have created bridges between communities, countries and continents" Mehmed Spaho, president of the Nominations Committee of the ILH told the FIFA President.

Mr. Blatter responded: "There are many leagues around the world, but I'm particularly proud to belong to the ILH."

As an ILH honorary ambassador for sport, culture and peace, Blatter, alongside Elisabeth Renn of the United Nations, carried out the symbolic task of presenting the humanists, Vaclav Havel, first president of the Czech Republic, Milan Kucan, president of the Republic of Slovenia, Stjepan Mesic, second president of the Republic of Croatia and Kiro Gligorov, first president of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.